Topic Six (1.6): The Scope of the Novel

 Introduction

This topic deals with some of the broader elements of novels and why writers use this form, as well as some common themes. Many of these similarly apply to short stories. You won’t always get chance to discuss this level of detail when analysing an unseen text, but this topic draws together much of what you have read so far to give you an overview of prose and its functions.

Much of what you read about here will be very useful to you again in Modules Two and Three when you are studying your set novel, so you may wish to return to this topic.

Read and Make Notes

Read Chapter Six, ‘The Scope of the Novel’ on pages 59 to 70 in Mastering English Literature and make notes.

Terminology

Make sure you understand any new literary terminology covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.